What Does Your Mouth Say About Your Health?

Your mouth gives SW Portland, Oregon dentists like Dr. Todd Beck and Dr. Jacob Morrow at South Waterfront Dental a lot of information about your overall health. The state of your teeth and gums may offers answers to questions you may have regarding what you see when you open your mouth and say “aaahhh.”

Why Is My Mouth So Dry?

Dry mouth is a condition that is exactly how it sounds – it’s basically a shortage of saliva, which helps to clean our teeth and gum tissue on a daily basis. This condition is a pretty common side effect of taking certain medications, including allergy and cold medicines as well as some prescription medications. Accompanying symptoms include difficulty swallowing, a sore throat, a hoarse voice and difficulty speaking, and dry nasal passages.

The presence of dry mouth can, however, be a sign of something more going on with your overall health, including the development of Sjogren’s syndrome or diabetes. Sjogren’s syndrome (pronounced show-grins) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the glands that produce moisture, while diabetes is a metabolic disease involving insulin and blood sugar. Regardless of the cause, it’s critical to find out what’s causing your dry mouth so that it can be treated as tooth decay is more prominent in mouths that lack saliva.

Why Isn’t This Cut Healing?

It’s not uncommon to accidentally bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek. Generally, these kinds of sores heal within a week or two. If you notice, however, that you have a sore in your mouth that refuses to go away, it’s time to talk with your dentist. Sores in the mouth that don’t heal and remain white or red can be a sign of oral cancer, which according to the National Cancer Institute effects more than 30,000 people a year. Early detection through visual examination and more extensive testing is recommended.

Why Are My Gums Bleeding?

While it might seem commonplace for gums to bleed – especially if you haven’t flossed in a while – this is actually an indication of the development of gingivitis. Also known as gum disease or periodontal disease, bleeding gums could be a sign that you need to take more extensive care of your teeth in order to prevent future potential problems. Gum disease, if it remains untreated, can lead to tooth loss and has been linked to more serious health problems.

Why Is My Gum Tissue Covering My Tooth?

Gum tissue doesn’t usually cover the surface of a tooth. If you notice that one or more of your teeth is being covered by gum tissue that is literally growing over them, it’s time to visit South Waterfront Dental. This condition can simply mean that the dosage of a medication needs adjustment, but it can also prevent thorough brushing and flossing of your teeth which can lead to more serious problems.

These questions – and others that you may have about your dental health needs – may need more discussion than what’s provided here. To get more answers to your dental questions, call Dentists in Portland, OR Dr. Todd Beck and Dr. Jacob Morrow at 503-841-5658 to make your personal appointment at South Waterfront Dental.